1884 Courses in Edinburgh delivered Online

There is no such thing as a typical Access to HE student. Our Access to HE Diplomas are taken by students of all ages and backgrounds. Courses are designed, in particular, for people who have been out of education for some time, especially those who left school with too few qualifications to be able to go straight to university.

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Marilia Savvides founded The Plot Agency in 2024. She began her career in publishing at Peters Fraser and Dunlop, where she spent eight years, first as International Rights Agent, and later as Literary Agent, building her own list of authors. In 2019, she joined 42MP, where she worked as Literary Agent for four years, helping to launch and set up the Book Division. She is particularly interested in fiction that is beautifully written and cleverly constructed, but still accessible to a wide readership. She is often drawn to darker tales that weave together excellent characters and an impossible-to-put-down story, from immersive book club novels with a splash of suspense, crime and thrillers, accessible horror, and speculative, genre-bending or dystopian stories. She also adores smart, witty contemporary rom-com in the style of Emily Henry. In the thriller, crime and mystery space she is interested in most areas, except military thrillers and organised crime/ mafia / mob stories. Big hooks and clever set ups are a big bonus! She adores Karin Slaughter (especially her standalone novels) and Gillian Flynn. In the book club / reading group space, she’s particularly drawn to fiction in the vein of Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng, and absolutely fell in love with Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll, both for the incredible voice, and the exquisite use of structure and time. Complicated family dynamics, empathetic and smart approaches to controversial issues, stand out protagonists (like Elizabeth Zott in Lessons in Chemistry or Bernadette in Where D’You Go Bernadette), long buried secrets, complicity, the road to justice, and impossible decisions, are all themes she finds herself drawn to. In the horror space, she’s a sucker for amazing female-centric stories in the vein of Yellowjackets, and the kind of contemporary, accessible horror that Stephen King always nails. She wants to get lost in a world that feels within reach of ours. In the speculative and dystopian spaces, she’s interested in genius ideas that set up big questions or reflect the most broken (and sometimes hidden) parts of society. She loves Octavia Butler, Margaret Atwood, George Orwell, and also adored The Leftovers, Station Eleven, Wanderers, and The Power. The what-ifs of life and fiction fascinate her. In the grounded sci-fi space, she’d love to find a smart, immersive, and accessible story like The Martian. She doesn’t represent fantasy or romantasy. In regards to sci-fi, unless it’s very grounded and has crossover potential to a mainstream audience, it’s not for her. In the romance space, she’s particularly drawn to smart, complex and witty characters, where the chemistry is jumping off the page. She loves contemporary settings and all the tropes, though the voice and characters must come first to make the reading experience fully immersive. She wants to be cackling, and rooting for the characters with all her heart. She is very hands-on editorially, and loves working with her authors to shape their manuscripts, and brainstorm ideas. The best part of the job is discovering debut authors, and helping them find a home for their books. Marilia would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 - 2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single Word document.  (In addition to the paid sessions, Marilia is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Tuesday 16th September 2025

This CISMP course and exam is for anyone wishing to progress their career in the rapidly expanding fields of Information Security, risk and cyber especially within the UK public sector.

QA Level 2 Award In Food Safety (Refresher) (RQF) Face to Face: Half day course Virtual Classroom: Spread over 2 sessions of 2½ hr duration Suitable for those who have previously done an Ofqual regulated course in Food Safety in Catering, for Retail and for Manufacturing Reminds learners about the importance of Food Safety and how to ensure food is safe for consumption Course Contents: Responsibilities of food handlers Types of contamination Causes of cross contamination Types of Contamination and the Associated Risks Keeping the work area and equipment clean and tidy Pest control Sources of food poisoning People at higher risk of food poisoning High risk foods Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Personal hygiene in food safety Safe temperatures for food processing Food spoilage Storage and deliveries Benefits of this course: Businesses have a duty to their customers to produce food that is safe for consumption. There are one million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year. How much can you remember from when you did your original course? From our experience, people remember very little one year later - let alone longer than that The Food Standards Agency says that 'Food business operators are required by law, to ensure that food handlers receive appropriate supervision and instruction/training in food hygiene in line with their work activity and should enable them to handle food safely’. Our QA Level 2 Award in Food Safety (Refresher) (RQF) is a nationally accredited qualification especially suitable for people working in, or planning to work in, the food retail industry, and complies with the training regulations. Doing this Ofqual regulated, nationally accredited course ensures that nothing of importance is left out of your memory, and that you are able to produce or sell food that is fit for human consumption Accredited, Ofqual regulated qualification: Our Food Safety in Catering training course is a nationally recognised, Ofqual regulated qualification accredited by Qualsafe Awards. This means that you can be rest assured that your Food safety in Catering certificate fulfils the legal requirements and is a very good way to make sure your employees are trained in Food Safety. The Ofqual Register number for this course is 603/4311/4

Highfield Level 1 Award In Food Safety In Catering (RQF) Half day course Food business operators are required by law, to ensure that food handlers receive appropriate supervision and instruction/training in food hygiene in line with their work activity and should enable them to handle food safely This Level 1 Award in Food Safety in Catering helps to prepare people for working in a low-risk role, where some food handling takes place. Course Contents: The Importance of Food Safety Legal responsibilities of food handlers Personal hygiene Contamination and cross contamination The importance of keeping one's work areas clean Pest control Basic bacteriology Benefits of this course: Businesses have a duty to their customers to produce food that is safe for consumption. There are one million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year. More than 6,000 are admitted to hospital. In 2014/2015, businesses in Chesterfield were issued 344 written enforcement notices. Derby received 1,116. Doing our Ofqual regulated, nationally accredited course ensures that nothing of importance is left out. EU and UK regulations state that all food handlers must receive appropriate training in food safety practices relevant to their duties. The Food Standards Agency says that 'Food business operators are required by law, to ensure that food handlers receive appropriate supervision and instruction/training in food hygiene in line with their work activity and should enable them to handle food safely’. This Highfield Level 1 Award in Food Safety in Catering (RQF) is a nationally accredited qualification especially suitable for people working in, or planning to work in, the food retail industry where some food handling takes place Accredited, Ofqual regulated qualification: This Level 1 Food Safety in Catering training course is a nationally recognised, Ofqual regulated qualification accredited by Highfield Qualifications. This means that you can be rest assured that your level 1 Food safety in Catering certificate fulfils the legal requirements and is a very good way to make sure your low-risk employees are trained appropriately in Food Safety. The Ofqual Register number for this course is 603/2615/3

Highfield Level 1 Award In Food Safety In Retail (RQF) Half day course Food business operators are required by law, to ensure that food handlers receive appropriate supervision and instruction/training in food hygiene in line with their work activity and should enable them to handle food safely This Level 1 Award in Food Safety for Retail helps to prepare people for working in a low-risk role, where some food handling takes place. Course Contents: The Importance of Food Safety Legal responsibilities of food handlers Personal hygiene Contamination and cross contamination The importance of keeping one's work areas clean Pest control Basic bacteriology Benefits of this course: Businesses have a duty to their customers to produce food that is safe for consumption. There are one million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year. More than 6,000 are admitted to hospital. In 2014/2015, businesses in Chesterfield were issued 344 written enforcement notices. Derby received 1,116. Doing our Ofqual regulated, nationally accredited course ensures that nothing of importance is left out. EU and UK regulations state that all food handlers must receive appropriate training in food safety practices relevant to their duties. The Food Standards Agency says that 'Food business operators are required by law, to ensure that food handlers receive appropriate supervision and instruction/training in food hygiene in line with their work activity and should enable them to handle food safely’. This Highfield Level 1 Award in Food Safety in Retail (RQF) is a nationally accredited qualification especially suitable for people working in, or planning to work in, the food retail industry where some food handling takes place Accredited, Ofqual regulated qualification: This Level 1 Food Safety in Retail training course is a nationally recognised, Ofqual regulated qualification accredited by Highfield Qualifications. This means that you can be rest assured that your level 1 Food safety in Retail certificate fulfils the legal requirements and is a very good way to make sure your low-risk employees are appropriately trained in Food Safety. The Ofqual Register number for this course is 603/2617/7

Highfield Level 1 Award In Food Safety In Manufacturing (RQF) Half day course Food business operators are required by law, to ensure that food handlers receive appropriate supervision and instruction/training in food hygiene in line with their work activity and should enable them to handle food safely This Level 1 Award in Food Safety in Manufacturing helps to prepare people for working in a low-risk role in a factory, where they will be handling, or around, food Course Contents: The Importance of Food Safety Legal responsibilities of food handlers Personal hygiene Contamination and cross contamination The importance of keeping one's work areas clean Pest control Basic bacteriology Benefits of this course: Businesses have a duty to their customers to produce food that is safe for consumption. There are one million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year. More than 6,000 are admitted to hospital. In 2014/2015, businesses in Chesterfield were issued 344 written enforcement notices. Derby received 1,116. Doing our Ofqual regulated, nationally accredited course ensures that nothing of importance is left out. EU and UK regulations state that all food handlers must receive appropriate training in food safety practices relevant to their duties. The Food Standards Agency says that 'Food business operators are required by law, to ensure that food handlers receive appropriate supervision and instruction/training in food hygiene in line with their work activity and should enable them to handle food safely’. This Highfield Level 1 Award in Food Safety in Manufacturing (RQF) is a nationally accredited qualification especially suitable for people working in, or planning to work in, the food retail industry where some food handling takes place Accredited, Ofqual regulated qualification: This Level 1 Food Safety in Manufacturing training course is a nationally recognised, Ofqual regulated qualification accredited by Highfield Qualifications. This means that you can be rest assured that your level 1 Food safety in Manufacturing certificate fulfils the legal requirements and is a very good way to make sure your low-risk employees are trained appropriately in Food Safety. The Ofqual Register number for this course is 603/2616/5

Person Centred Planning (PCP) is a powerful tool for visioning, future planning and team building. It gets everyone on the same page and creates a progressive, constructive atmosphere so it is especially useful for people who are feeling ‘stuck’ or in a really desperate situation. The PCP processes we teach are called “PATH” and “MAPs”, and are both used for different situations. “To facilitate a group, family, team or organisation in thinking together around a given challenge or issue. Here is an opportunity to experience for real the person centred, futures planning tool – MAP/PATH” (Pearpoint, Forest, O’Brien. 1989). PCP can focus on an individual, with family and friends in the room supporting them, or focus on a group who want to set goals, and realise their potential as a team. PCP focuses on hopes and dreams, so is a very positive approach to planning, and utilises graphic facilitation, making it a very friendly way of working that is accessible to everyone.  This unique, hands on PCP training course explores the difference between ‘person-centred thinking’ and ‘service-centred thinking’. Traditionally, we have not always listened deeply enough to the needs of those we are planning for. Often ‘medical model’ thinking dominates our planning for those with the most complex needs. Typically we plan ‘about’ rather than ‘with’ children and adults.  We examine this ‘service centred’ approach that most professionals are used to, and question its limitations. This values based approach to inclusion will give participants the ‘theory’ behind why thinking and working in a person centred way is so important, and challenges people to strive for more for the people we are planning around. In addition to the knowledge and theory, this course empowers participants to facilitate their own Person Centred Plans using the PATH or MAPs process and provides the skills to do this effectively. Learning objectives  Strengthen understanding of how to think in a person centred way Knowledge of the steps of PATH / MAPs process Ability to facilitate PATH/MAPs process Ability to graphically facilitate a PCP meeting Develop problem solving and planning skills Inclusive Solutions offer: We could provide training for a team of staff, or we could facilitate a PATH or MAP around a disabled person. We can also offer bespoke training packages, please enquire for more details.  1 day “Introduction to PCP” with up to 100 attendees focusing on ‘Person Centred Thinking’ – includes live demonstration of PATH or MAPs Process (for a member of the group / with a student and their family/friends). 2 day “PCP Skills training” – More skills focused, lots of practice. Includes Graphics academy, Process academy and Coaching (Best with under 30 attendees). 2 day “Introduction to PCP with Skills training” – includes live demonstration of PATH or MAPs process, Graphics academy, Process academy and Coaching (Best with under 30 attendees). Half day PATH or MAP for a disabled person, led by two experienced Inclusive Solutions facilitators. Full day PATH or MAP for a team, organisation or group such as a full school staff led by two experienced Inclusive Solutions facilitators. Typical Structure of 2-Day “Introduction to PCP with Skills” Training This course is most useful when delivered over 2 days so we have time to cover the ‘skills’ behind facilitating a PATH or a MAP. Here is an example of what usually happens. If you need us to, we can tailor any of our courses to suit your specific needs.  Day 1 AM What makes a good welcome?Service centred thinking and working – what does it involve, how does it make people feel?Reflections on current practices – what is useful and what is harmful?Introduction to underpinning values of person centred thinking and working In depth exploration of the fundamentals of inclusion – encouraging identity, focusing on gifts and capacities Sharing success stories, and personal insight from experienced psychologistsShowcasing a number of practical PCP process in actionIntroduction to the “5 service accomplishments”, or “5 ordinary needs” PM  Full PATH process demonstration, led by 2 experienced facilitators – one process facilitator and one graphic facilitatorVolunteers will make notes on what they see the facilitators doing and feedback at the end of the dayFeedback, Q&A Day 2 AM Graphics Academy – we will ease you into the world of graphic facilitation and show you how simple it really is – includes live coaching and graphics tutorial, then participants will practice on each other by facilitating the first 1 or 2 sections of the PATH Process Academy – we will give you some pointers about holding the group, and facilitating in an inclusive way, this is another chance to practice your new graphics skills PM The group is divided up, and volunteers are selected to facilitate PATH meetings The group then run the PATH’s simultaneously with an experienced coaches in the room to guide and to be available for questionsWe reconvene to feedback about the process and digest all we have learntBrief Q&A session and then final reflections

Elite EA/PA Forum We are delighted to announce the Elite EA/PA Forum for the UK & Ireland will be on the 30th of October 2025. Our workshop aims to: Enhance your influence and impact by mastering assertive communication, negotiation, and self-advocacy skills. Stay composed and solution-focused in high-pressure situations with practical tools for crisis management and clear decision-making. Embrace evolving technology by understanding how AI and automation can streamline your role and boost efficiency. Future-proof your career by building strategic value, resilience, and adaptability in an ever-changing professional landscape. Keynote Address with Q&A from the audience: What to expect from Sam's Keynote: With over 30 years supporting leaders at the highest levels, Sam Cohen brings a wealth of insight, experience, and stories (the kind she can share) to the stage. From 18 years serving within The Royal Household - including as Deputy Private Secretary and Press Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - to working with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, running the Prime Minister’s Office at Downing Street, and serving as Chief of Staff to the global CEO of Rio Tinto, Sam’s career is a masterclass in discretion, diplomacy, and delivering at the top. In this exclusive keynote, Beyond the Role, Sam will explore how Executive Assistants don’t just support leaders - they shape leadership, drive strategy, and build legacy from behind the scenes. Join us for this rare opportunity to hear from someone who’s been at the epicentre of power - and bring your questions! The keynote will include a live Q&A, where you can ask Sam about her remarkable career, leadership insights, and how to truly excel in high-performance environments. (Don’t ask her what the Queen kept in her handbag - she’s not telling.) Sam Cohen Career Bio: Sam Cohen has spent the last 30 years working to support leaders in the public and private sectors. Sam spent 18 years serving The Royal Household, as Deputy Private Secretary to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Press Secretary to The Queen. Sam also served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Following this time, Sam worked as Director of the Prime Minister’s Office at Downing Street under Boris Johnson and, most recently, was Chief of Staff to the global CEO at Rio Tinto. Source: ABC News - YouTube Channel. Facilitator The Confident Assistant - Speak Up, Go After What You Want & Create The Future You Deserve: Develop practical strategies to negotiate workload, boundaries, and career growth with confidence. Learn assertive communication techniques to handle challenging conversations effectively. Build self-advocacy skills to articulate your value and influence outcomes in the workplace. Monika Turner Career Bio: Monika Anna Turner is an ICF-certified Leadership and Executive coach with over seven years of experience helping professionals unlock their confidence, elevate their voice, and lead with authenticity. Before stepping into coaching, she built a successful career as a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, and ultimately Chief Of Staff —giving her a deep understanding of the unique challenges and strengths of support roles. Originally from Poland, Monika knows firsthand what it’s like to question your voice and your value—especially in a second language. Her journey from self-doubt to self-assurance informs everything she does today. Through her coaching, she empowers assistants and leaders alike to move beyond fear, speak up and create fulfilling careers they’re proud of. Panel Crisis Mode: What to do when everything goes wrong Master a step-by-step approach to prioritising and problem-solving under pressure. Strengthen emotional resilience and calm decision-making during unexpected disruptions. Learn how to communicate clearly and lead from behind in high-stress situations. Facilitator - PM: Justin Kabbani AI Is Not Here to Replace You. It's Here to Upgrade You. We'll explore Justin's proven 3P framework: Priming – How to set up AI like a strategic advisor by feeding it context, tone and mindset Prompting – How to craft clear, structured instructions to get consistently great results Producing – How to turn AI outputs into high-leverage work that makes you stand out Your session outcomes: Real examples from admin professionals already using AI to elevate their work Prompts you can copy, adapt, and test live Interactive exercises to build confidence fast A practical challenge to implement right after the session If you’ve been overwhelmed by AI, or underwhelmed by its impact, this session will change that. You'll leave with tools you can use today, and a mindset you’ll carry forward for the rest of your career. Justin Kabbani Career Bio: Justin Kabbani is one of Australia’s most in-demand AI trainers and keynote speakers, known for making AI feel simple, powerful, and immediately useful. He’s worked with brands like Uber, Treasury Wine Estates, and Udemy, helping their teams embed AI into daily workflows, strategic planning, and executive communication. Over the past two years, Justin has trained more than 2,000 professionals across Australia and beyond, consistently earning feedback like “mind-blowing,” and “game-changing”. His signature Prime, Prompt, Produce framework has transformed how business leaders, executive assistants, marketers, and teams think, work, and communicate with AI, without needing to be “tech people.” Justin believes AI isn’t here to replace people. It’s here to take the robotic work off our plate, so we can focus on what humans do best. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkabbani/ Website: https://justinkabbani.com/ Speed Connections Networking Session Join us for Speed Connections, a lively 30-minute networking session designed to foster meaningful connections in a fun, fast-paced environment. Every 10 minutes, attendees will be placed into new breakout rooms with small groups, giving everyone the chance to meet a diverse range of peers. Each breakout session will feature engaging prompts to spark conversations and make networking enjoyable and memorable! Who will attend this event? Executive Assistant (EA) Personal Assistant (PA) Virtual Assistant (VA) Legal Secretary Legal Executive Assistant Administrative Assistant Office Manager Health Care Office Manager Chief of Staff Additional roles may be relevant depending on role responsibilities along with development opportunities. This workshop is open to females, male including trans women/males and non-binary professionals. Group Rate Discounts To discuss our group rates in more detail, please email support@elite-forums.com and provide the following: Group Number (How many would like to attend) Event Date (If numerous dates, please advise if we are splitting attendees across multiple dates) Attendee Contact details (Or request our Group Rate Document. Complete and return - we'll sort the rest.) Group discounts are on request - see below group rate discount brackets: 🧩 You just need one piece to come together - to unlock your Elite Potential. 🔑 Media outlets/organisations will not be permitted to attend this event.

Overview With the major responsibility of managing finances, managers have also responsibilities to write and control budgets. They face a number of decisions that need planning and forecasting, especially preparing budgets. Using examples and exercises from the gas and oil industry, this course is designed to break down all sorts of financial restrictions in an informative yet engaging style. It will provide the necessary skills to develop efficient strategic planning, forecasting and budgeting processes. The main aim of the training is to enable the participants to understand the framework that builds strategies for annual budgets targeting efficient management and organisational performance. Our course will explain financial terms and budgeting tools in such a way that a financial professional or even a non-financial profession will be able to understand and relate to in their working environment. It will include a lot of examples, a budgeting format and case studies.